October 2013 Poche Parole

October, 2013 Vol. XXXI, No. 2
Poche Parole
The Italian Cultural Society of Washington D.C.
Preserving and Promoting Italian Culture for All
www.italianculturalsociety.org
ICS EVENTS
Social meetings start at 3:00 PM on the third Sunday of the month, September thru May, at the
Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD (See map on back cover)
October 20: Pianist Alessandra Garosi will play works of contemporary composers and show a video
on the life and music of Nino Rota (page 4).
November 17: Wine expert Laurent Guinand will discuss Italian wines and conduct a wine tasting (page
6).
Movie of the Month at 1:00 PM: “Lo Sceicco Bianco” (page 5)
Italian Lesson and Conversation on October 20 at 2:00 PM
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I hope everyone has had a good summer and that it will
eventually turn into an Estate di San Martino, the Italian
expression for Indian Summer, referring to a time of mild
weather after the first frost. St. Martin’s day is on November
11, at which time, traditionally, the new wine can be tasted.
Carducci even wrote a poem about it that you can find on
Italian Wikipedia.
Speaking of tasting, I am sorry I missed our first social
meeting of the season at which those of you who attended got
to enjoy tasting the spirit drinks from Don Ciccio & Figli
Board member Dennis Siracusa has written about this on
page 10 of this issue. There will be another tasting at our
November meeting – this time of wine brought by wine
expert Laurent Guinard.
For our October meeting, where I hope to see many of our
members, our guest is Italian pianist Alessandra Garosi who
will lead a multi-media program combining her own live
piano recital with video on the music and life of Nino Rota,
who wrote the scores for many of the movies by Fellini. A
more complete description of the program and Ms. Garosi’s
background is on page 4.
As your new president I would like to renew a request for
you, the individual members of ICS, to help make
membership in our society as interesting and as rewarding as
possible.
We have a space on our membership application form for
“volunteer skills”. I recently was browsing through our data
base in which this information is recorded in search of
someone with particular skills and was frankly disappointed
at how frequently this item was left blank.
I am certain that we have an impressive reserve of talent that
could help in a variety of ways such as writing articles,
speaking or finding speakers on a topic of interest, helping to
organize events, and even administrative work. So let me
hear from you at [email protected].
Arrigo Mongini
CONTENTS
President’s Message page 1
Welcome to new ICS members page 2
Local Events of Interest page 3
Program of October 20: Piano Recital and Presentation page 4
Celebrating Rota page 5
Movie of the Month: Lo Sceicco Bianco page 5
Report from the Italian Language Program page 6
Our November Social Meeting page 6
The Great Belzoni page 7
Our September Social Meeting page 10
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
PROGRAM
4827 Rugby Avenue, Suite 301
Bethesda, MD 20814
Day, Evening and Weekend
Classes for Adults
WELCOME TO NEW ICS MEMBERS
It is with great pleasure that we welcome those Members who have
joined us recently. As we welcome them we hope that they will take
advantage of all that the Society has to offer and that they will
contribute with their knowledge and expertise to the success of the
Society’s mission:
Amy Boccella Smith, John, Anne and Miranda Devlin, Rita A. Grieco
Yury Khrapko, Neoni Linda Mattox, Victoria McMullin, Marsha W.
Sprague.
Benvenuti!
Arrigo Mongini
Serving Maryland, Virginia, and
Washington, DC
There are introductory, intermediate and advanced
courses being offered. Please make your selection from
Italian Language Program Fall 2013 class schedule
Watch the website for
the schedule of fall classes.
www.italianculturalsociety.org
301-215-7885
ICS Board of Directors and their Responsibilities
Arrigo Mongini, President
Ron Cappelletti, Vice President, Acting Director of the ILP
Paolo Vidoli, Treasurer and ILP budget director
Nick Monaco, Outside events, Deputy Treasurer
Joe Onofrietti, Film & hospitality
Romeo Segnan, University and museum outreach
Marie Frances, Fund raising activities, public relations
Carlo Ellena, ILP, Webmaster
Francesca Casazza, ILP, Outreach to other organizations
Dennis Siracusa, Assistant Editor, hospitality
Riccardo Cannavò, Editor of Poche Parole
Maria Wilmeth and Elio Grandi, Emeriti
Aldo Bove, Liaison in Italy
ICS Poche Parole Publication
Riccardo R. G. Cannavò, Editor
Romeo Segnan, Dennis Siracusa, Paolo Vidoli
Assistant Editors/Writers
Poche Parole is published each month from January through May
and September through December.
The deadline for the
submission of all articles and ads for a newsletter issue is the 25 th
of the month preceding publication of the issue. Please send
submissions
via
the
internet
to
e-mail
address:
[email protected] or on a computer CD/DVD to: Editor,
Poche Parole, 4827 Rugby Avenue, Suite 301, Bethesda, MD
20814
Publication notice: The ICS Board reserves sole discretion for
accepting any material, including ads, for inclusion in Poche
Parole, pursuant to its established Publication Policy. A copy of
this policy is available upon request by contacting the
Editor. Advertisers appearing in Poche Parole have paid a fee or
provided services in kind to ICS for publishing their respective
ads. Publication of any advertisement in Poche Parole does not
reflect ICS endorsement or guarantee of the advertisers’ services,
products or statements. Material contained in articles published is
the sole responsibility of the author and does not indicate ICS
endorsement.
CORNUCOPIA
Specialty Italian Food Market
8102 Norfolk Ave, Bethesda, MD
301.652.1625
Conveniently located in downtown Bethesda
Only two blocks from the ICS Office!
Gourmet deli and catering.
Featuring an extensive line of Italian Food favorites.
Italian meat and cheeses deli products, a wide range of
specialty pasta, roasted vegetables, and large assortment
of Italian pastries baked on premises, biscotti, cookies,
cannoli & sfogliatelle.
Panini, subs, sandwiches, fresh mozzarella, imported
olives oils, olives, coffees and now GELATO!
Homemade delicious Italian meals to go!
Seasonal Specialties Available
Panettone - Pandoro – Panforte
Torrone - Perugina Chocolates
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LOCAL EVENTS OF INTEREST
National Gallery of Art
Guided tours of the Italian Renaissance collection are
offered regularly, free of charge. Next tour in Italian on
October 8 12:00 pm.
More information at (202) 842-6247 or
www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/calendar/guidedtours.html?category=Guided Tours&pageNumber=1
Italian Cultural Institute (Italian Embassy)
Concert Verdi Re-Imagined - Fantasias from Verdi's
Operas. October 09.
More information at
www.iicwashington.esteri.it/IIC_Washington/Menu/Gli_
Eventi/Calendario
Lecture and Concert Tasso, Monteverdi and the Arts.
October 13.
More information at
www.iicwashington.esteri.it/IIC_Washington/Menu/Gli_
Eventi/Calendario
Concert Verdi Our Contemporary. October 15.
More information at
www.iicwashington.esteri.it/IIC_Washington/Menu/Gli_
Eventi/Calendario
Movie Il Primo Incarico (First Assignment). October 16.
More information at
www.iicwashington.esteri.it/IIC_Washington/Menu/Gli_
Eventi/Calendario
CONSULAR SECTION
ITALIAN EMBASSY
3000 Whitehaven Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20008
Information: 202-612-4400
Serves residents of Washington, DC,
Montgomery & Prince George’s Counties, MD
Arlington & Fairfax Counties, VA
Antenna Italia
is now on the AMICO website. Get news from Italy
and information on Italian and Italian-American
events as well as music & commentary in
streaming audio. Log on any time
at Pino Cicala’s web site
www.italianamericancommunications.org
Concert Viva Verdi! at the Washington National
Cathedral. October 20.
More information at
www.iicwashington.esteri.it/IIC_Washington/Menu/Gli_
Eventi/Calendario
Italian Cultural Society in partnership with the RIFE
film festival:
Movie/documentary: (R)esistenza October 15 at the
West End Cinema. More information at
www.italianculturalsociety.org
Casa Italiana
Bicentenario Verdiano, Viva Verdi, October 12 at 7:00
PM, Tickets $25 go on sale September 15th. Contact
Mr. Bruno Fusco at (301) 654-5218.
Piazza Italia
Italian Language meetup group. See website for details
and an excellent calendar of Italy-related events.
http://www.meetup.com/DCitalian
3
ITALIAN CULTURAL SOCIETY
PIANO RECITAL AND MULTIMEDIA
PRESENTATION
Featuring
Alessandra Garosi
Alessandra Garosi is known as one of the most versatile of contemporary pianists. Under the guidance of the Materiali
Sonori label and management company, she has been involved in international music festivals and musical theater as a
soloist and as part of the Harmonia Ensemble, one of the first Italian cross-over chamber music groups. Beyond her
classical training, Alessandra has a life-long interest in popular, folk and cross-over music. She has collaborated with such
musicians as Michael Nyman, Enrico Rava, Stefano Bollani, Harvey Sachs, Gavin Bryars, Roger Eno, Daniel Schell, and
Giorgio Gaslini among others. While travelling in Australia, Alessandra met an indigenous didgeridoo player, resulting in
a piano recital called Suoni dal Mondo which she toured in Italy, Germany and Slovenia.
Ms. Garosi studied in USA from 1986 to 1988 at Indiana University. She has performed as a chamber member and as
soloist in Latin America, major European cities. In Australia she performed at the Italian Embassy in Canberra, played in
Sydney Town Hall, the Perth Italian Consulate, Adelaide, Melbourne, Ballarat, and for musigramma management at
Sydney Opera House in November 2011.
The program will open with a live piano concert of works by Frank Zappa, “What's New in Baltimore”, Giorgio Gaslini,
“Felix Sonata”, and Heitor Villa Lobos, “Il Bove di Piombo-Il Lupo di Vetro”
Next, there will be a video presentation on the music and life of Nino Rota*, famed composer of musical scores of films by
Fellini and other directors.
As an encore Ms. Garosi will play her interpretation of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue
There will be a raffle, and light refreshments will be served after the concert
3:00 PM, Sunday, October 20, Friendship Heights Village Center, 4433 South Park Ave., Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Admission free

Fellini’s film The White Sheik, with score by Nino Rota, will be shown at 1:00 PM , as the ICS Movie of the Month,
at the same location.
CELEBRATING ROTA
CELEBRANDO ROTA
4
By Hospitality Chairman Joe Onofrietti
Di Joe Onofrietti Responsabile dell’Ospitalità
Giovanni “Nino” Rota was one of the greatest musical
composers of the 20th century. Born into a musically inclined
family in Milan, he was a child prodigy. Nino wrote the
oratorio L’infanzia di San Giovanni Battista when he was
eleven and performed it live the next year in Paris. His next
work Il Principe Porcaro was published when he was only
fifteen. As Nino matured, he became enamored with
composing music for the cinema. Nino wrote over 150 film
scores for Italian and international productions from the
1930s until his death in 1979. Rota averaged three film
scores a year for forty six years! His most productive decade
was from the late 1940s to the late 1950s, with a staggering
thirteen film scores in 1954 alone. It is during this period of
his career that Nino Rota wrote the prolific music for The
White Sheik (1958). Please join the Italian Cultural Society as
we view The White Sheik for the October film of the month.
In Italian with English subtitles.
Giovanni “Nino” Rota è stato uno dei più grandi compositori
del XX secolo. È nato in una famiglia già portata per la
musica a Milano ed è stato un bambino prodigio. A soli 11
anni ha scitto l’opera L’infanzia di San Giovanni Battista e
un anno dopo l’ha eseguita in un concerto live a Parigi. La
sua successiva opera Il Principe Porcaro è stata pubblicata
quando aveva solo 15 anni. Da adulto si è innamorato della
composizione di opere per il cinema. Tra gli anni '30 e la sua
morte, avvenuta nel 1979 ha scritto più di 150 colonne
sonore e composizioni musicali per film. Una media di tre
composizioni per anno per 46 anni! Il decennio più
produttivo è stato dalla fine degli anni '40 alla fine degli anni
'50, con il record di 13 opere composte nel solo 1954. In
questo periodo ha scritto le musiche per il film Lo Sceicco
Bianco (1958). Unitevi a noi nella visione del film Lo
Sceicco Bianco come nostro film del mese. In italiano con
sottotitoli in inglese.
IL FILM DEL MESE
Di Joe Onofrietti Responsabile dell’Ospitalità
Nino Rota at age 12
MOVIE OF THE MONTH
By Hospitality Chairman Joe Onofrietti
Two young newlyweds from a provincial town, Wanda
(Brunella Bovo) and Ivan Cavalli (Leopoldo Trieste), arrive
in Rome for their honeymoon. Wanda is obsessed with the
"White Sheik" (Alberto Sordi), the hero of a soap opera
photo strip and sneaks off to find him, leaving her
conventional, petit bourgeois husband in hysterics as he tries
to hide his wife's disappearance from his strait-laced relatives
who are waiting to go with them to visit the Pope. The
plotline was re-used by Woody Allen in his film To Rome
with Love. The soundtrack was composed by Nino Rota.
OUR NOVEMBER SOCIAL MEETING
Due giovani sposi provenienti da una città di provincia,
Wanda (Brunella Bovo) e Ivan Cavalli (Leopoldo Trieste),
arrivano a Roma per la loro luna di miele. Wanda è
ossessionata dallo "Sceicco Bianco" (Alberto Sordi), l'eroe di
una soap opera fotografica a fumetti e scappa dal marito in
cerca dell'attore protagonista lasciando il marito, un piccolo
borghese, in
crisi isterica
mentre cerca
di nascondere
la scomparsa
della moglie
ai suoi parenti
che sono in
attesa
di
andare
con
loro a visitare
il Papa. La
trama è stata
riutilizzata da
Woody Allen
nel suo film A
Roma
con
Amore.
La
colonna
sonora è stata
composta da
Nino Rota.
REPORT FROM
5
By Nick Monaco ICS Deputy Treasurer
THE ITALIAN LANGUAGE PROGRAM
By Ronald Cappelletti, Acting Director
At the ICS November 17 Social Meeting we will be treated
to a wine tasting presentation of a variety of Italian wines by
wine expert Laurent Guinand, PhD, President of GiraMondo
Wine Adventures. Laurent is from Lyon, France not far from
the Beaujolais Region. He started his career promoting the
French wines in the US with Food & Wines from France,
Inc. Laurent writes professionally for Wine Business
International. He has conducted numerous wine tasting
presentations in the DC metro area, including at many
Embassies, at the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Cooking
and Entertaining Show as well as trade conferences such as
Winevolution in Paris.
The Italian Language Program is
off to a fine start this fall quarter
of 2013. In all, we are offering 47
courses,
including
some
experimental
new
efforts
(Wine/Food
Pairing,
and
Ceramica: L’Arte e La Storia),
but I want to especially tell you
about an initiative to reach out to
children that is meeting with
success. Thanks to the vigorous
efforts and careful planning of
ILP steering committee and board
member, Francesca Casazza, we
have opened classes on Tuesday
afternoons (4 to 6 pm) and
Saturday mornings (10 am to
noon) aimed at young children (5
to 9) (Italian for Kids) who
understand Italian because it is
spoken at home, but for whom it
is a second language, and they do not speak it fluently. And
on Friday afternoons we have opened a class for children in
the same age range who are beginners, i.e., who know no
Italian (Beginning Italian for Kids). We were able to open
these classes because we have found a demonstrable demand
in our Bethesda area location for such courses, and we hope
to develop this sector with offerings in subsequent quarters
that follow upon these beginner initiatives. In addition, to
further support our efforts in the Language Program now that
we are relying solely on revenues from all our courses to pay
the bills, we have initiated a modest increase in tuitions, and
we are happy to report that these increases have been readily
accepted by our learning community. Finally, I want to
mention an effort that will be “live” very soon, namely an
entirely new website that will feature the ability for students
to register on-line and pay by credit card (yes, we are finally
joining the 21st century!) This site will also feature the ability
of members of the Society, namely you, to pay your
membership dues on-line as well, although for both class
registration and membership payments, the more traditional
alternative (fill out a form and mail it in with a check) will
also be available. Although it was a joint effort by myself,
Francesca and board member Carlo Ellena, special thanks
should go to Carlo who is our new webmaster and thus who
will bear responsibility for keeping the 21st century moving
ahead!
IL NOSTRO SOCIAL MEETING DI NOVEMBRE
Di Nick Monaco ICS Vice Tesoriere
Il 17 novembre si terrà il nostro social meeting mensile; il
Presidente della GiraMondo Wine Adventures Dott. Laurent
Guinand, intratterrà il pubblico con una degustazione di vini.
Guinand è di Lione, in Francia non lontano dalla regione di
Beaujolais. Ha cominciato la sua carriera come promoter di
vini francesi in USA con la società Food & Wines from
France, Inc. Guinand scrive per la rivista Wine Business
International. Ha diretto numerose degustazioni nell’area
metropolitana di DC, incluso molte ambasciate, la
fondazione Smithsonian e il Metropolitan Cooking and
Entertaining Show. Guinand ha anche relazionato in molte
conferenze come il Winevolution a Parigi.
ITALIAN LANGUAGE
PROGRAM FOR KIDS
4827 Rugby Avenue, Suite 301
Bethesda, MD 20814
We are very pleased to announce "Italian for Kids".
These classes aimed at children from 6-10, come in two
flavors: one is for the children who come from homes in
which Italian is spoken, and who know some Italian, but
for whom it is a second language. The second flavor
"Beginning Italian for Kids" is for children who don't
know the language, but would like to learn it.
Italian Language Program Fall 2013 class schedule
www.italianculturalsociety.org
THE GREAT BELZONI
301-215-7885
IL GRANDE BELZONI
6
By Luciano Mangiafico
Di Luciano Mangiafico
Giovanni Battista Belzoni is no longer a well-known
historical figure, but in his day, he was an impressive and
famous figure who died in his prime. He was a carnival
performer, an explorer and an archeologist. He combined the
muscle of a Charles Atlas with the darey-do of an Indian
Jones. He may even have been the inspiration for the creation
of the fictional Jones.
Belzoni was born in Padua on November 15, 1778 and died
on December 3, 1823 in Gwato, Nigeria while on his way to
explore the legendary Timbuktu, the ancient capital of Mali.
There is some indication that he was the son of a barber. He
attended religious schools in Padua, went to Rome and may
have studied hydraulics. What is certain is that he grew taller,
stouter, stronger and more well-proportioned that the average
man; his height was measured somewhere between 6’6’’ and
6’8”.
During Napoleon’s first invasion of Italy in 1796, Belzoni
left Italy and went to Germany. There he met a group of
show people that included a muscle man who when stretched
between two chairs held an anvil on his abdomen while two
helpers forged a horseshoe. Belzoni realized that he could
earn a good living performing feats of strength.
In early 1803, Belzoni enlisted his brother, Antonio, who was
6’3’‘or 6”4”, into his enterprise and went to England where
he performed at the Bartholomew Fair as the Young
Hercules. Soon after, he appeared at the noted Sadler Wells
Theater. Posters for his performance hailed him, “Signor
Giovanni Battista Belzoni, the Patagonian Samson, will
present most extraordinary specimens of the Gymnastic Art
perfectly foreign to any former exhibition.” (Apparently he
was called a Patagonian because people believed that the
inhabitants of that region were giants).
Belzonìs act included walking across a stage carrying from 7
to 12 people standing on an iron harness with footholds
weighing 127 pounds-all this while waving a flag to solicit
applause. Newspapers reported his exploits and his success
drew the attention of the owners of the Asteleyius Circus
who engaged the them to tour throughout England. Sir
Walter Scott wrote that Belzoni was “The most
proportionate giant he had ever seen.”
He married an English woman named Sarah (1783-18700)
soon after his arrival and she became part of the act. Charles
Dickens described her as “A pretty delicate-looking woman”
but the appearance belied her strength, appearance,
intelligence, perseverance, and force of character. Sarah
Belzoni accompanied her husband in his many adventures in
Egypt and contributed to his writing when she authored “A
Short Account of the Women of Egypt.” She dressed as a boy
while in Egypt to avoid drawing undo attention.
The Belzoni brothers and Sarah continued their show
business routines for years performing in many European
countries until 1815. In 1815, while on tour in Malta,
Giovanni and Sarah were recruited to go to Alexandria,
Egypt to offer the Pasha technical expertise regarding
Giovanni Battista Belzoni non è più una figura storica molto
conosciuta, ma al suo tempo è stata una persona veramente
famosa. È stato un uomo di circo e di spettacolo, un
esploratore e un archeologo. Una sorta di mix tra i muscoli di
Charles Atlas e la temerarietà di Indiana Jones. La sua figura
avrebbe potuto inspirare la creazione del famoso Jones che
tutti conosciamo. È morto nel fiore dei suoi anni.
Belzoni nacque a Padova, il 15 novembre 1778 e morì il 3
dicembre 1823 a Gwato in Nigeria mentre cercava di
raggiungere la leggendaria Timbuktu, antica capitale del
Mali.
Abbiamo notizie che fosse il figlio di un barbiere. Ha
frequentato una scuola religiosa a Padova e quindi a Roma
sembra aver studiato idraulica. Certamente era un uomo alto,
forte, robusto e molto ben proporzionato rispetto alla media;
era alto circa 1,95 o 2 metri.
Durante la prima invasione napoleonica in Italia, nel 1796,
Belzoni lasciò il Paese per andare in Germania. In Germania
incontrò un gruppo di persone dello spettacolo tra cui un
uomo molto muscoloso che restava in equilibrio tra due sedie
facendo stretching con un’incudine sullo stomaco, mentre
altre due persone forgiavano un ferro di cavallo
sull’incudine. Belzoni capì che avrebbe potuto guadagnare
bene svolgendo la professione di show-man e usando la
propria forza.
All’inizio del 1803 Belzoni assunse suo fratello Antonio (alto
1,85 metri) nella sua compagnia. Insieme andarono in
Inghilterra dove lavorarono al Bartholomew Fair come
“Giovani Ercole”. Poco dopo, sono apparvero al ben
conosciuto teatro Sadler Wells Theater. I poster delle
performance in teatro parlavano di lui come “Signor
Giovanni Battista Belzoni, il Sansone della Patagonia, che
presenterà il più straordinario tipo di ginnastica mai visto
prima in nessuna esibizione pubblica.” (sembra che il titolo
di Sansone della Patagonia fosse stato creato in quanto si
credeva che gli abitanti di quella regione fossero giganti di
statura).
Tra le performance di Belzoni c’era camminare da un lato
all’altro del palcoscenico con dei pesi per ciascuna gamba di
circa 55 kg. trasportando un’asse di ferro su cui c’erano dalle
7 alle 12 persone nel frattempo sveltolando una bandiera per
sollecitare gli applausi del pubblico. Il successo e le notizie
sulla stampa attirarono l’attenzione del proprietario del circo
Asteleyius che li assunse per un lungo tour di tutta
l’Inghilterra. Sir Walter Scott ha scritto che Belzoni era “Il
gigante più proporzionato che lui avesse mai visto”.
Belzoni sposò una donna inglese di nome Sarah (1783-1870),
quasi subito dopo il suo arrivo in Inghilterra e lei divenne
parte dello spettacolo. Charles Dickens la descrive come
“Una donna graziosa e delicata”, ma sembra che dietro
l’apparenza ci fosse una donna forte di carattere, intelligente
e perseverante. Sarah Belzoni ha accompagnato suo marito in
molte avventure in Egitto scrivendo il saggio “Un breve
racconto delle donne in Egitto.” Mentre era in Egitto usava
7
irrigation. Egypt was still a part of the Ottoman Empire and
was ruled by Muhammed Ali Pasha (c.1769-1849) an
Albanian adventurer who had himself appointed Pasha by the
Ottoman Sultan.
In the early 19th century, after the Napoleonic invasions had
brought to the attention of Europeans the wonders of
pharaonic civilization, and interest in Egypt, both cultural
and economic, had become high. The major European
powers
vied
for
influence, sending diplomatic
representatives, technical experts, and advisors.
As Egypt was not yet recognized as an independent country,
the diplomatic representatives were Consul Generals, but
held the powers of ambassadors and in the fluid situation
were able to assist the Egyptians in the exploration of their
ancient monuments. However, they also enrich themselves
by collecting and selling cultural artifacts.
The two most prominent diplomats in Egypt at the time were
Bernardino Drovetti (1776-1852) of Turin, who were Consul
General of France 1810-15 and 1820-29, and Henry Salt
(1780-1827), the British Consul General from 1816 to 1827.
Drovetti, also acted as military advisor to the Pasha, supplied
most of the Egyptian artifacts that are now in the Louvre, and
in the Museo Egizio di Torino, the most important in Europe.
Salt using Belzoni to procure the artifacts, sold several
collections to the British Museum and one to the Louvre. The
competition among the various diplomat assigned to Egypt to
procuring antiquities was intense and resulted in the so-called
War of the Consuls.
Through Drovettìs good offices, Belzoni met the Pasha and
demonstrated a hydraulic pump that he had constructed.
Unfortunately, the Pasha refused to finance the construction
of similar devices and Belzoni found himself without a job
and no way to make a living.
This time Johann Burckhardt came to his rescue, encouraging
British Consul General Henry Salt to engage Belzoni to assist
him in the discovery and collection of antiquities. It was
inevitable that once Belzoni started to work with Henry Salt,
he would become the professional enemy of his former friend
Bernardino Drovetti, who vied with Salt for influence and
collection of antiquities.
Belzonìs first task was to move an enormous granite bust of
Ramesses II (ruled c. 1278-1213 B.C.) from West Thebes to
Alexandria for transfer to the British Museum in London. He
managed and directed the activities of his 130 Arab helpers.
On August 12, the bust was on the banks of the Nile and
loaded on a ship for transport to London via the Cape of
Good Hope (no Suez Canal then), where it arrived on
December 15, 1816.
In the summer of 1817, Belzoni and his wife went to Abu
Simbel to ascertain whether they could clear the sands and
find the entrance to the great temple of Ramesses I (ruled
c.1292-1290 B.C.). They succeeded on August 1, and by the
middle of October, 20 feet underground, they discovered the
sumptuous tomb of Seti I (ruled c. 1290-1278 B.C.).
These successes by a self-taught amateur grated on the
nerves and self-respect of Bernardino Drovetti, who
vestire come un uomo per evitare di attrarre l’attenzione su di
lei.
I due fratelli Belzoni e Sarah continuarono i loro show con
tournée in tutta l’Europa per molti anni facendo spettacoli in
molti paesi fino al 1815.
Nel 1815 mentre erano in tournée a Malta, Giovanni e Sarah
furono assunti per andare ad Alessandria d’Egitto e fornire
consulenza tecnica sull’irrigazione al Pashà. L’Egitto era
ancora parte dell’Impero Ottomano sotto il regno di
Mohammed Ali Pashà (circa 1769-1849); in particolare
l’Egitto era governato da un avventuriero albanese nominato
Pashà dal Sultano Ottomano.
All’inizio del XIX secolo, dopo che l’invasione di Napoleone
destò l’interesse degli Europei per la civiltà dei faraoni e per
l’Egitto, sia la cultura che l’economia del paese ebbero un
incremento notevole. Le maggiori potenze europee cercavano
di rafforzare la propria influenza in Egitto mandando le
proprie rappresentanze diplomatiche, i propri tecnici e
consiglieri.
A quel tempo l’Egitto non era ancora riconosciuto come uno
stato sovrano e indipendente, quindi i rappresentanti
diplomatici erano Consoli Generali ma avevano il potere, di
fatto, di Ambasciatori in una situazione molto fluida per il
paese.
In quegli anni i due più importanti diplomatici in Egitto
erano Bernardino Drovetti (1776-1852) di Torino, Console
Generale Francese negli anni 1810-1815 e ancora negli anni
1820-29, ed Henry Salt (1780-1827), il Console Generale
britannico dal 1816 al 1827. Drovetti ha anche avuto il ruolo
di consigliere militare del Pashà, esportando fuori dal Paese
la maggior parte dei reperti archeologici egiziani che sono
attualmente esposti al Louvre e al Museo Egizio di Torino, il
museo egizio più importante d’Europa. Salt ha usato Belzoni
per procurare i reperti archeologici e vendere numerose
collezioni di reperti al British Museum e una collezione al
Louvre. La competizione tra i vari diplomatici presenti in
Egitto per procurare reperti antichi è stata molto intensa e ha
preso il nome di Guerra dei Consoli.
Attraverso l’attività diplomatica di Drovetti, Belzoni incontrò
personalmente il Pashà dimostrandogli una pompa idraulica
di sua invenzione. Sfortunatamente il Pashà rifiutò di
finanziare la costruzione della pompa e Belzoni si ritrovò
senza lavoro e senza i mezzi per vivere.
Belzoni iniziò quindi a lavorare col Console inglese Henry
Salt, diventando inevitabilmente nemico del suo precedente
amico e mecenate Bernardino Drovetti, sempre in
competizione con Salt per la collezione di reperti antichi.
Il primo incarico di Belzoni fu spostare un enorme busto di
granito di Ramesse II (in carica 1287-1213 a.c.) da Tebe ad
Alessandria per il successivo trasferimento al British
Museum di Londra. Belzoni ha organizzò e diresse le attività
dei suoi 130 lavoratori arabi. Il 12 agosto il busto era sulle
rive del Nilo, caricato su una nave per il trasporto a Londra
via Capo di Buona Speranza (non c’era ancora il canale di
Suez). Il busto arrivò a Londra il 15 dicembre 1816.
Nell’estate 1817 Belzoni e la moglie si recarono ad Abu
8
attempted to entrap Belzoni in an enterprise that could have
caused his death. Feigning friendship, he told Belzoni that he
had found a huge sarcophagus in an underground labyrinth
but was unable to move it because of its size and weight.
Would Belzoni help? Belzoni took on the task, but he did not
find the sarcophagus where it was supposed to be; moreover,
he was abandoned by his Arab guides in the labyrinth and
was lucky to find his way out only by following his guides’
foot tracks in the dust covering the passageways.
In February 1818, Belzoni was at Giza, exploring the great
Pyramid of Cheops (ruled c. 2589-2566 B.C.). He then
turned his attention to the Pyramid of Chephren (ruled c.
2558-2532 B.C.), discovered its entrance and by April had
reached the hall containing the tomb of the Pharaoh.
Like the movie hero, Indiana Jones, Belzonìs strength came
in handy on many occasions. Once, attacked by a mob, it is
said that he grabbed the legs of one of his assailants, lifted
him in the air and swinging him around like a club hit the rest
of the attackers, who after several attempts to overpower
him, retreated.
To be continued on the next issue of Poche Parole.
Simbel per valutare la possibilità di ripulire dalla sabbia e
trovare l’entrata del grande tempio di Ramesse I (in carica
1292-1290 a.c.). Belzoni e la moglie riuscirono nell’impresa
e il primo di agosto trovarono l’ingresso del tempio. Inoltre
ad ottobre ebbero di nuovo successo nel riportare alla luce la
sontuosa tomba di Seti I (in carica 1290-1278 a.c.), nella
stessa località circa 6 metri sotto terra.
Questi successi ottenuti da un autodidatta del settore
irritarono molto i nervi del Console Generale Bernardino
Drovetti che tentò di intrappolare Belzoni in un’impresa che
avrebbe dovuto causare la sua morte. Facendo leva sulla loro
amicizia Drovetti confidò a Belzoni di aver trovato un
gigantesco sarcofago in un labirinto sotterraneo ma di non
essere stato in grado di spostare il sarcofaco a causa della
misura e del peso. Belzoni accettò il lavoro ma non trovò il
sarcofaco, inoltre fu abbandonato dalle sue guide arabe
dentro il labirinto e fu davvero fortunato a riuscire a ritrovare
l’uscita seguendo le orme lasciate delle sue guide arabe nella
polvere sul pavimento.
Nel febbraio 1818 Belzoni andò a Giza per esplorare la
grande Piramide di Cheope (in carica 2589-2566 a.c.).
Quindi si occupò della Piramide di Chefren (in carica 25582532 a.c.), scoprendo l’entrata in aprile e riuscendo ad
arrivare alla sala contenente la tomba del faraone.
Come l’eroe dei film Indiana Jones, la forza di Belzoni fu
veramente utile in molte occasioni. Una volta fu aggredito da
un gruppo di uomini e si dice che abbia preso la gamba di
uno di questi assalitori e alzatolo per aria lo brandiva come
una mazza contro tutti gli altri; dopo molti tentativi di
sopraffarlo il gruppo si ritirò.
Continua sul prossimo numero di Poche Parole.
La Firma di Belzoni all'interno della piramide di Chefren
Giovanni Battista Belzoni
OUR SEPTEMBER SOCIAL MEETING
IL NOSTRO SOCIAL MEETING DI SETTEMBRE
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Discover the Amalfi Coast
By Poche Parole Assistant Editor Dennis Siracusa
Alla scoperta della Costiera Amalfitana
Di Dennis Siracusa Assistente Direttore di Poche Parole
The Italian Cultural Society began its events with a
presentation by Francesco Amodeo, the owner of Don Ciccio
& Figli, a purveyor of artisanal spirits. His fascinating talk
described how he came to create liqueur from various fruits.
He assured his listeners that even though it is more time
consuming and expensive, his unique recipes rely upon juice
from the natural fruit, and insisted that he would never use a
package mix. He buys most of his fruits from American
growers; lemons from Georgia, strawberries from Virginia
and blueberries from Maine. However, he can only get
prickly pears from southern Italian towns with which to make
his Fico d’India.
Don Ciccio & Figli learned the rich history of artisanal
liqueur making from the Amalfi Coast and brought to the
United States a series of recipes handed down for
generations. Don Ciccio's artisanal liqueurs offer a glimpse
of the past with a nod to the future. Each unique handmade
liqueur begins with a blend of all-natural fresh fruit, spices,
and grains. Signore Amodeo assured us that his passion is to
produce the best liqueur with the finest ingredients and is
proud to say that quality comes before profits. His aim is not
only to make just the popular limoncello, but to acquaint
Americans with liqueurs of different colors. He is the only
American distributor of Concerto outside the Amalfi Coast.
Concerto is a dark liqueur; a concert of 15 herbs and spices,
barley coffee and espresso. Another dark liqueur is Ibisco
(hibiscus) made from a rare flower grown in southern Italy
that arrived from Egypt centuries ago.
Signore Amodeo referred us to his web sight
http://www.donciccioefigli.com to see the variety of spirits
that he produces and even provides his recipes to those who
want to create their own taste of the Amalfi Coast.
La Società di Cultura Italiana ha iniziato i suoi eventi con
una presentazione di Francesco Amodeo, il proprietario della
distilleria artigianale Don Ciccio & Figli. Il suo affascinante
discorso ha descritto come è arrivato a produrre liquori
partendo dai vari frutti.
Amodeo ha assicurato gli ascoltatori che, anche se richiede
molto tempo ed è più costoso, lui basa le sue ricette
unicamente su succhi di frutta fatti con frutta naturale e mai
con ingredienti artificiali. Amodeo compra la maggior parte
della frutta che utilizza da coltivatori americani: i limoni
dalla Georgia, le fragole dalla Virginia e i mirtilli dal Maine.
Per quanto riguarda i fichi d’India, Amodeo ha riferito di
poter comprare questi frutti unicamente dalle città dell’Italia
del sud, con cui poi produce il suo Fico d’India.
L’azienda Don Ciccio & Figli conosce la storia e le
tradizioni dei liquori artigianali provenienti dalla produzione
tradizionale della Costiera Amalfitana e ha portato negli
USA una serie di ricette tramandate per generazioni. La Don
Ciccio & Figli offre uno sguardo al passato con un cenno al
futuro. Tutti i liquori sono fatti artigianalmente a mano
cominciando con una combinazione di frutta naturale, spezie
e cereali. Il signor Amodeo ha orgogliosamente detto che il
suo obiettivo è la produzione di liquori della qualità più alta
con i migliori ingredienti e che questa politica aziendale
viene prima del profitto. Il suo obiettvo è non solo la
produzione del famoso Limoncello ma anche dare agli
americani la possibilità di conoscere liquori di altri colori.
La Don Ciccio & Figli è l’unica azienda che distribuisce il
liquore Concerto fuori dalla Costiera Amalfitana. Il Concerto
é un liquore scuro, un concerto di 15 erbe, spezie, caffè e
luppolo. Un’altro liquore scuro è l’Ibisco (hibiscus), fatto con
un raro fiore che cresce nell’Italia del sud, arrivato
dall’Egitto centinaia di anni fa.
Il sig. Amodeo ha invitato il pubblico a visitare il suo sito
web http://www.donciccioefigli.com per vedere la varietà
della sua produzione ma anche per conoscere le sue
tradizionali ricette e produrre da sé il proprio sorso della
Costiera Amalfitana.
Nick Monaco is opening the meeting
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Jim Delker, Maria Wilmeth, and Anna Maria Delker
Francesco Amodeo and Nick Monaco
Romeo Segnan at the raffle desk
Silvana De Luca and Neoni Mattox
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